Horsman handed Wales reprieve

Worcester prop Chris Horsman looks set to make his Wales debut next month after avoiding a lengthy Rugby Football Union ban.

Horsman collected a three-week suspension when he appeared before RFU disciplinary chiefs in Bristol last night.

The 27-year-old was cited for stamping on a Leeds forward during Worcester’s Guinness Premiership victory over the Tykes 12 days ago, and subsequently admitted the charge during a three-hour hearing.

But the ban, which takes effect from October 15, means he will only be sidelined until November 5 – the same day as Wales launch their autumn Test series against New Zealand in Cardiff.

Horsman, who lives in Porthcawl and qualified to represent Wales last month after completing a three-year residency period, is now set to feature in a 31-man squad to tackle the All Blacks and subsequent opponents Fiji, South Africa and Australia.

Saracens prop Ben Broster, who made his Test bow during Wales’ unbeaten summer tour of North America, was on stand-by to fill the front-row vacancy left by coach Mike Ruddock, had Horsman been ruled out.